Device mounting and retention assembly

ABSTRACT

A device mounting and retention mechanism is disclosed, comprising a guide disposed on a device so that the guide is capable of slidably moving along a guide channel so that a retention mechanism may engage the guide thereby providing a restraining force and ground for the device. A device retention assembly is also disclosed, comprising a guide mounted on a device so that the guide is capable of slidably moving along a guide channel disposed on a housing so that the retention mechanism is capable of flexibly engaging the guide, thereby providing a restraining force. A device mounting assembly is also disclosed, comprising a first guide mounted on a device and a second guide mounted on a device wherein a guide channel is formed so as to selectively accept the first guide and exclude the second guide.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/416,547, entitled “Device Mounting and RetentionAssembly,” filed on Oct. 12, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of mountingassemblies, and particularly to device mounting and retentionassemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the past, devices such as hard disk drives and othercomponents were mounted in a housing such as in an information handlingsystem or convergence system, etc. by using screws to attach the deviceto holes contained on the housing. This method is time-consuming,expensive, and inefficient. To install or replace a device in a housingnecessitated locating and removing all retaining screws, then manuallyreplacing the screws to install a new device. Other methods intended toaddress this problem involve complicated retention systems. Some systemsinvolve complicated parts that are incapable of selectively permittingthe removal of a device, while retaining other devices contained in thehousing. Other systems include trays that prevent efficient distributionof heat and/or fail to provide a suitable ground for the device.

[0004] It is the intention of the present invention to present animproved device retention assembly. By mounting guides capable ofsliding through a guide channel, the device may be installed or removedmore efficiently. The guides may be shaped as posts and mounted inmounting holes contained on the device to further simplify thestructure. A retention mechanism disposed on the housing may engage theguide therein providing a restraining force to provide stability andprevent removal of the device. The retention mechanism may be formed ina more simplified manner, thereby lowering production costs. Forexample, the retention mechanism may be formed as one piece mounted tothe housing. Furthermore, the retention mechanism may be formed as anintegral part of the housing, so the housing and retention mechanism maybe formed in one process. In this way, the invention provides asimplified mounting and retention structure with electrical groundingcapabilities. By forming the retention mechanism in the complementaryshape of a guide, the retention mechanism may selectively engage aparticular guide, thereby promoting correct orientation and completeinstallation of the device.

[0005] Additionally, a guide channel may be formed in the complementaryshape of a guide so as to selectively allow movement of the particularguide through the guide channel, yet exclude other guides from enteringthe guide channel. The guide channel may also be strategically locatedto promote proper front-to-back installation of the device. The guidechannel may also have a complementary size, such as width or height, toselectively allow movement of a particular guide through the guidechannel, yet exclude other guides from entering the channel. In thisway, the invention may promote the proper installation of the device inthe housing and specialize different positions in a housing fordifferent devices.

[0006] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a device mountingand retention assembly that may facilitate the efficient and correctorientation of a device for installation and removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is directed to a device mounting andretention assembly comprising a guide disposed on a device wherein theguide is capable of slidably moving along a guide channel so a retentionmechanism may engage the guide thereby providing a restraining force andground for the device.

[0008] The present invention is further directed to a device retentionassembly comprising a guide mounted on a device wherein the guide iscapable of slidably moving along a guide channel disposed on a housingso the retention mechanism is capable of flexibly engaging the guide,thereby providing a restraining force.

[0009] The present invention is further directed to a device mountingassembly comprising a first guide mounted on a device and a second guidemounted on a device wherein a guide channel is formed so as toselectively accept the first guide and exclude the second guide.

[0010] It is to be understood that both the forgoing general descriptionand the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatoryonly and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. Theaccompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a partof the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention andtogether with the general description, serve to explain the principlesof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The numerous advantages of the present invention may be betterunderstood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanyingfigures in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0013]FIG. 2A is an exploded view of a device;

[0014]FIGS. 2B and 2C depict exemplary guides capable of being utilizedby the present invention;

[0015]FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D are views of various retention mechanismscapable of being utilized by the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an isometric drawing of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention with a retention mechanism mounted at the insertionpoint of the housing;

[0017]FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are progressive views of an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a view of an exemplary retention mechanism capable ofselectively engaging a guide;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a view of an exemplary retention mechanism formed as anintegral part of a housing;

[0020]FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D are views of an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention wherein the guide channels are formed toselectively engage a guide; and

[0021]FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of the present inventionwherein the guide channel is formed to selectively prevent the insertionof a guide so as to promote the correct installation of a device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

[0023] A variety of devices, such as electronic devices, are mounted ininformation handling systems and convergence systems, etc. to add thefunctionality of the device to the system. However, past mountingmethods often involved complicated processes of manufacture andassembly. In some cases, the device had to be mounted to the system byusing screws. Other types of systems that have attempted to address thisproblem involved components that must also be assembled and installed inthe desired system. The present invention addresses these problems byforming a simplified retention mechanism that may be capable ofproviding an electrical ground for the device. This invention may beuseful in a variety of applications such as server assemblies,hard-drive arrays, personal computers, or any other system where spaceand convenience of operation is a concern.

[0024] In FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention isshown. A device 102 is mounted in a housing 110. A plurality of guides120 allow the device 102 to slide along a guide channel 112 formed onthe housing 110. A retention mechanism 130 is also disposed on thehousing 110. The retention mechanism 130 engages a guide 122 therebyproviding a restraining force to selectively prevent removal of thedevice 102. The retention mechanism may also provide an electricalground by engaging the guide 122 on the device 102. In this embodiment,a plurality of guides 120 may be installed on the device 102economically, yet provide the capability of slidably installing andremoving the device 102 along the guide channels 112 on the housing 110.By forming the guides 120 in this manner, the device 102 has a greatersurface area exposed, thereby increasing the efficiency of heatdistribution. For example, it may be preferable to locate a cooling fan(not shown) near the housing 110 so the device may be cooled moreefficiently. Additionally, the retention mechanism 130 may be formed toselectively engage the guide 122, and therefore the device 102, for easeof removal. For example, the retention mechanism 130 may be manuallyflexed so as to disengage the retention mechanism 130 from the guide122. This allows the device 102 to be slidably removed through the guidechannel 112, thereby releasing the device 102 from the housing 110.

[0025] There are a variety of guides that may be utilized by the presentinvention. In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, a pluralityof guides 120 may be mounted on the device with the use of mountingholes 104 contained on the device 102. As shown in FIG. 2B, the guidesmay be substantially circular 202, square 204, substantially flat 206,substantially rounded 208 or any other shape that permits the device 102to slide along the guide channel 112 (FIG. 1). Guides 120 may also beformed as an integral part of the device 102 (FIGS. 1, 2A, and 4)itself, thereby eliminating the need for an additional attachment stepin a manufacturing process. Furthermore, the guide may be formed as arail, as shown in FIG. 2C. In this example, the guide 120 a is formed soas to slide along a guide channel 112 (FIG. 1). The guide may include aprotrusion 122 a so that the retention mechanism 130 may engage theprotrusion 122 a, thereby providing a restraining force on the device102 (FIG. 1). Alternatively, it might be preferable to forgo the use ofa protrusion by utilizing pressure applied by the retention mechanismdirectly against the guide. The retention mechanism 130 may also providean electrical ground for the device 102 (FIG. 1). Although theinvention, and particularly the types of guides able to be utilized bythe invention have been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it should be recognized that elements thereof may bealtered by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 3A through 3D, examples of various typesof retention mechanisms that may be utilized by the present inventionare shown. In FIG. 3A, the retention mechanism 130 is formed as aspring. The retention mechanism 130 includes a securing portion 132 toselectively engage the guide 122. The securing portion 132 may be formedas an indentation as in the present example or other complementary shapeof a guide 122 wherein a greater restraining force may be achieved withthe guide 122 so that the device 102 is better restrained. The securingportion may also be formed in any other form one of ordinary skill maysubstitute so as to engage the guide. It might be preferable to includea release portion 134 on the retention mechanism to ease device removaland installation. The release portion 134 may aid in flexing theretention mechanism 130 away from the guide 122 so as to disengage thedevice. It might be preferable to curve the release portion 134 awayfrom the housing so that the retention mechanism 130 may automaticallyflex when a force is applied by a guide 122 against the retentionmechanism 130 as the device 102 is slidably inserted along the guidechannel 112. A securing portion 132 of the retention mechanism 130 maythen automatically engage the guide 122, thereby providing a securingforce. This enables the device 102 to be installed and mounted in ahousing 110 in one quick and fluid motion. The retention mechanism 130may also serve as a ground for the device 102. The retention mechanismmay be disengaged from the guide by flexing the mechanism 130 away fromthe guide 122 with the use of a release portion 134 included on themechanism 130. Once the guide 122 is disengaged from the retentionmechanism 130, the device is free to slide along the guide channel 112utilizing the guides 122 and 120 for the removal of the device 102(FIGS. 1 and 4). These steps may be reversed to install the device.

[0027] In FIG. 3B, the retention mechanism 130 b has a substantiallyhook-like structure. The retention mechanism 130 b includes a securingportion 136 to engage a guide 122. In this example, the retentionmechanism 130 flexes substantially parallel to the housing 110 to engageand disengage the guide 122. This embodiment may be particularly usefulfor mounting the retention mechanism 130 b near the entry point for thedevice 102 (FIG. 4) to allow a plurality of guides 120 and 122 to passalong the guide channel 112 uninterrupted. The retention mechanism 130 bmay include a release portion 134 b to aid in disengaging the retentionmechanism 130 b from the guide 122.

[0028] In FIG. 3C, two grasping portions, a first grasping member 140and a second grasping member 142 form the retention mechanism 130 c.These members are disposed on the housing 110 so as to be able to engagea guide 122 slidably moving along a guide channel 112. The firstgrasping member 140 and the second grasping member 142 are capable offlexible movement so as to permit entry of the guide 122. Once the guide122 reaches the securing portion 132 c formed by indentations in thegrasping members, the first grasping member 140 and the second graspingmember 142 may return to their original position thereby providing arestraining force on the guide 122.

[0029] In FIG. 3D, another type of retention mechanism is shown. In thisexample, the retention mechanism 130 d is formed so that a releaseportion 154 may be utilized to flex the retention mechanism 130 d awayfrom the housing 110. The retention mechanism 130 d also includes aportion 152 so that the retention mechanism 130 d may be flexed when aguide sliding along a guide channel 112 applies pressure so that theretention mechanism 130 d may engage the guide 122. It should berecognized that the retention mechanism may be altered by persons orordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

[0030] A retention mechanism 430 may be mounted anywhere along the guidechannel 112 yet still provide a restraining force and electricalgrounding capabilities, as shown in FIG. 4. In this exemplary embodimenta retention mechanism 430 is mounted toward the insertion point of adevice 102. The retention mechanism 430 includes a securing portion 432so a plurality of guides 420 may pass along the guide channel 112 of thehousing 110 unimpeded by the retention mechanism 430. The retentionmechanism 430 may be formed so as to allow a plurality of guides 420 topass, for instance through a channel 434 formed in the retentionmechanism 430, yet retain a specific guide 422 to secure the device 102in the housing 110. By mounting the retention mechanism 430 toward theinsertion point of the housing 110, less exposure of the housing isneeded to utilize the retention mechanism 430 so as to engage andrelease the device 102.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C a progressive view of theoperation of an exemplary retention mechanism is shown. In FIG. 5A, aretention mechanism 530 is shown disposed next to a guide channel 512. Aguide 520 mounted on a device, (not shown) slides along the guidechannel 512 toward the retention mechanism 520. In FIG. 5B, the guide520 makes initial contact with the retention mechanism 530 causing theguide to flex away from the guide channel 512 so as to allow the guide520 to continue along the guide channel 512. Finally, in FIG. 5C, theguide 520 has passed the retention mechanism, allowing the retentionmechanism to flex toward its original position. A securing portion 534of the retention mechanism 530 engages the guide 520, thereby preventingmovement of the guide 520 along the guide channel 512. The retentionmechanism may also serve as a ground for the device 102 (FIGS. 1 and 4)by contacting the guide 520.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 6, the retention mechanism is capable ofselectively retaining a specific guide. The retention mechanism 630 isformed so that only a specific guide may fit into the securing portion632 of the mechanism 630. The securing portion may be formed, forexample, as a hole, indentation, cavity, or as any other type ofstructure capable of engaging a guide 622. In this example, the securingportion 632 is formed so that it is capable of engaging a specific guide622 while enabling nonconforming guides 620 to continue past theretention mechanism 630. This embodiment is particularly useful whenmounting the retention mechanism toward the entry point for the device102 (FIG. 4). The securing portion 632 may be formed in a variety ofshapes, sizes, and orientations so as to selectively engage a specificguide. For example, the securing portion may be formed so as to receivea smaller guide while allowing larger guides to pass. In this way, theretention mechanism 630 will only allow the device 102 to be retainedwhen correctly oriented in the housing 110 (FIG. 4). This also promotesthe complete installation of the device 102 because the retentionmechanism 630 will engage the specific guide 622 only when the device102 is completely inserted.

[0033] The retention mechanism may be formed as an integral part of thehousing, as shown in FIG. 7. In this exemplary embodiment, the retentionmechanism 730 may be formed in the same manufacturing process as thehousing 710 and/or guide channel 712. In this way, the retentionmechanism 730 is formed without having to add another step in productionand manufacturing processes. By eliminating the need for an extramanufacturing step, the device may be made more efficiently, therebyimproving the marketability of the device. As stated above, the guidemay also be formed as an integral part of the housing, further loweringproduction and manufacturing costs. Combining both of these featureswill further add to the efficiency of the manufacturing process,resulting in lower costs to both manufacturer and consumer.

[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 8A through 8D another exemplary embodimentof the present invention is shown. In the following descriptions, frontis meant to mean the entry point in a housing, for example, the front ofa device as inserted into a housing as shown in FIG. 1. Back is meant tomean the opposite end of the housing from the entry point. Height ismeant to mean a perpendicular orientation to the entry point andhousing, for example, different heights of guides and guide channels areshown in FIGS. 8B and 8D. Width is defined as perpendicular to heightand parallel to the housing, for example, different widths of guides andguide channels are shown in FIG. 8C.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 8A, guide channels may be formed so as topromote the proper insertion and orientation of a device. A first guide842 may be mounted on a device 802 so that the first guide 842corresponds with the first guide channel 852 and the second guide 844corresponds with the second guide channel 854. A first guide 842 may beformed in a complementary shape of a first guide channel 852 so that thefirst guide 842 may be inserted into the first guide channel 852, yetprevent the insertion of a second guide 844 into the first guide channel852. In this way, the device 802 may only be inserted in the desiredmanner. In FIG. 8B, the first guide channel 856 and second guide channel858 are strategically placed in the housing 810 so that the first guide846 and second guide 848 may promote proper front-to-back orientation ofthe device 802. Using this arrangement alone, the first guide channel856 may accept both the first guide 846 and second guide 848, and thesecond guide channel 858 may accept both the first guide 846 and secondguide 848 yet still work to promote the proper front-to-back orientationof the device. Utilizing this arrangement alone, it is possible toinsert the device in two different orientations that bias the front ofthe device 802 toward the front of the housing 810 and the back of thedevice 802 toward the back of the housing 810. In FIG. 8C, the width ofa first guide 872 and first guide channel 862 is varied so that firstguide will fit into a first guide channel 862 and exclude a second guide874 from the first guide channel 862. The height of the guide may alsobe adjusted to promote proper orientation of the device. In FIG. 8D, theheight of a first guide 876 and first guide channel 866 are adjusted sothe first guide channel 866 may accept the first guide 876 and excludethe second guide 878 from insertion into the first guide channel 866.Both guide channels may be formed so as to selectively permit andrestrict access yet not depart from the present invention. It should berecognized that the guides and guide channels thereof may be altered bypersons of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 9, an attempted incorrect insertion of adevice 802 is shown so that the first guide channel 852 is matched upwith a second guide 844. The first guide channel 852 may employ anyrestrictive technique so that the device may not be installed in thatorientation. For example, the first guide channel 852 may be formed soas to complement the first guide by variances in height, width, shape,orientation on the device 802, etc. to restrict the wrongful insertionof the device 802. Furthermore, the first guide and second guide may bedisposed on different devices (not shown) so only the correct device maybe inserted in the guide channel. For instance, if the first guide wasmounted on a hard disk drive, and second guide was connected to a CD-ROMdevice, it might be desirable to restrict the insertion of the devicesto certain positions in the housing. To achieve this goal, the firstguide channel may be formed so as to accept the first guide, in thisinstance connected to the hard disk drive, and exclude all other guidesso that only this device may be inserted into that position in thehousing. Additionally, the second guide channel may be formed so as toaccept second guide, in this instance connected to a CD-ROM device, andexclude all other guides and their attached devices from being installedin that position in the housing.

[0037] It is believed that the device mounting and retention mechanismof the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will beunderstood by the forgoing description, and it will be apparent thatvarious changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement ofthe components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages, theform herein before described being merely an explanatory embodimentthereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass andinclude such changes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device retention assembly, comprising: a guide;a guide channel; a retention mechanism; wherein the guide is disposed ona device so that the guide is capable of slidably moving along the guidechannel so that the retention mechanism may engage the guide thereinproviding a restraining force and electrical ground for the device. 2.The device retention assembly as described in claim 1, wherein theretention mechanism flexibly engages the guide.
 3. The device retentionassembly as described in claim 2, wherein the retention mechanismcomprises a spring.
 4. The device retention assembly as described inclaim 2, wherein the retention mechanism comprises a first graspingstructure and a second grasping structure so as to engage the guide. 5.The device retention assembly as described in claim 1, wherein theretention mechanism is integrally formed in the housing.
 6. The deviceretention assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the retentionmechanism further comprises a release portion.
 7. The device retentionassembly as described in claim 6, wherein the release portion is formedso as to increase the ease at which the device is manually released fromthe housing.
 8. The device retention assembly as described in claim 1,further comprising: a second guide mounted on a device; wherein theretention mechanism is capable of selectively engaging the first guideand excluding the second guide.
 9. The device retention assembly asdescribed in claim 8, wherein the retention mechanism selectivelyengages the first guide to promote proper installation of a device. 10.The device retention assembly as described in claim 9, wherein theretention mechanism selectively engages the first guide so as to promotecomplete installation of a device.
 11. The device retention assembly asdescribed in claim 9, wherein the retention mechanism selectivelyengages the guide so as to promote correct orientation of the device.12. The device retention assembly as described in claim 1, wherein theguide is formed so as to increase cooling of the device.
 13. The deviceretention assembly as described in claim 12, wherein the cooling of thedevice is increased by exposing greater surface area of the device. 14.The device retention assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the guideis formed so as to be able to be mounted on a device by utilizing amounting hole.
 15. The device retention assembly as described in claim1, wherein the guide is formed as an integral part of the device. 16.The device retention assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the guideis formed as a post.
 17. The device retention assembly as described inclaim 16, wherein the guide is substantially flat.
 18. The deviceretention assembly as described in claim 16, wherein the guide issubstantially rounded.
 19. The device retention assembly as described inclaim 16, wherein the guide is substantially circular.
 20. The deviceretention assembly as described in claim 16, wherein the guide issquare.
 21. The device retention assembly as described in claim 1,wherein the guide is formed as a rail.
 22. The device retention assemblyas described in claim 21, wherein the guide includes a protrusion sothat the retention mechanism may engage the guide.
 23. A deviceretention assembly, comprising: a device; a guide mounted on the device;a housing; a guide channel disposed on the housing; a retentionmechanism capable of flexibly engaging the guide disposed on thehousing; wherein the guide is mounted on a device wherein the guide iscapable of slidably moving along the guide channel so that the retentionmechanism may engage the guide therein providing a restraining force.24. The device retention assembly as described in claim 23, wherein theretention mechanism is capable of providing a ground for the device. 25.The device retention assembly as described in claim 23, wherein theretention mechanism is formed as a spring.
 26. The device retentionassembly as described in claim 23, wherein the retention mechanismcomprises a first grasping structure and a second grasping structure soas to engage the guide.
 27. The device retention assembly as describedin claim 23, wherein the retention mechanism is an integral part of thehousing.
 28. The device retention assembly as described in claim 23,wherein the retention mechanism further comprises a release portion. 29.The device retention assembly as described in claim 28, wherein therelease portion is formed so as to increase the ease at which the deviceis manually released from the housing.
 30. The device retention assemblyas described in claim 23, further comprising: a second guide mounted ona device; wherein the retention mechanism is capable of selectivelyengaging first guide and excluding second guide.
 31. The deviceretention assembly as described in claim 30, wherein the retentionmechanism selectively engages the first guide to promote properinstallation of a device.
 32. The device retention assembly as describedin claim 31, wherein the retention mechanism selectively engages thefirst guide so as to promote complete installation of a device.
 33. Thedevice retention assembly as described in claim 31, wherein theretention mechanism selectively engages the first guide so as to promotecorrect orientation of a device.
 34. The device retention assembly asdescribed in claim 23, wherein the guide is formed so as to increasecooling of the device.
 35. The device retention assembly as described inclaim 34, wherein the cooling of the device is increased by exposinggreater surface area of the device.
 36. The device retention assembly asdescribed in claim 23, wherein the guide is formed so as to be able tobe mounted on a device by utilizing a mounting hole.
 37. The deviceretention assembly as described in claim 23, wherein the guide is formedas an integral part of the device.
 38. The device retention assembly asdescribed in claim 23, wherein the guide is formed as a post.
 39. Thedevice retention assembly as described in claim 38, wherein the guide issubstantially flat.
 40. The device retention assembly as described inclaim 38, wherein the guide is substantially rounded.
 41. The deviceretention assembly as described in claim 38, wherein the guide issubstantially circular.
 42. The device retention assembly as describedin claim 38, wherein the guide is square.
 43. The device retentionassembly as described in claim 23, wherein the guide is formed as arail.
 44. The device retention assembly as described in claim 43,wherein the guide includes a protuberance so that the retentionmechanism may engage the guide.
 45. A device mounting assembly,comprising: a first guide mounted on a device; a second guide mounted ona device; a housing; a guide channel disposed on the housing; whereinthe guide channel is formed so as to selectively accept the first guideand exclude the second guide.
 46. The device mounting assembly asdescribed in claim 45, wherein the first guide and second guide aredisposed on the device.
 47. The device mounting assembly as described inclaim 45, further comprising a second device wherein the first guide isdisposed on the first device and the second guide is disposed on thesecond device.
 48. The device mounting assembly as described in claim47, wherein the guide channel is formed so as to selectively accept thefirst device and exclude the second device.
 49. The device mountingassembly as described in claim 45, wherein the first guide channel isformed in a complementary shape of the first guide.
 50. The devicemounting assembly as described in claim 45, wherein the first guidechannel is formed in a complementary size of the first guide.
 51. Thedevice mounting assembly as described in claim 50, wherein the firstguide channel is formed in a complementary width of the first guide. 52.The device mounting assembly as described in claim 50, wherein the firstguide channel is formed in a complementary height of the first guide.53. The device mounting assembly as described in claim 45, wherein thefirst guide channel and second guide channel are formed so as to bedisposed at a differing relative positions in the housing so as to biasthe device towards the correct front-to-back orientation.
 54. The devicemounting assembly as described in claim 45, further comprising aretention mechanism.
 55. A device mounting assembly, comprising: a firstmeans for guiding a device disposed on a device; a second means forguiding a device disposed on a device; a housing; a means for receivinga guide means disposed on the housing; wherein the receiving means isformed so as to selectively accept the first guide means and exclude thesecond guide means.
 56. The device mounting assembly as described inclaim 55, wherein the first guide means and second guide means aredisposed on the device.
 57. The device mounting assembly as described inclaim 55, further comprising a second device wherein the first guidemeans is disposed on the first device and the second guide means isdisposed on the second device.
 58. The device mounting assembly asdescribed in claim 57, wherein the receiving means is formed so as toselectively accept the first guide means and exclude the second guidemeans thereby selectively accepting the first device and excluding thesecond device.
 59. The device mounting assembly as described in claim55, wherein the first receiving means is formed in a complementary shapeof the first guide means so as to selectively accept the first guidemeans and exclude the second guide means.
 60. The device mountingassembly as described in claim 55, wherein the first receiving means isformed in a complementary size of the first guide means so as toselectively accept the first guide and exclude the second guide.
 61. Thedevice mounting assembly as described in claim 60, wherein the firstreceiving means is formed in a complementary width of the first guidemeans so as to selectively accept the first guide means and exclude thesecond guide means.
 62. The device mounting assembly as described inclaim 60, wherein the first receiving means is formed in a complementaryheight of the first guide means so as to selectively accept the firstguide means and exclude the second guide means.
 63. The device mountingassembly as described in claim 55, wherein the first receiving means andsecond receiving means are formed so as to be disposed at differingrelative positions in the housing so as to bias the device towards thecorrect front-to-back orientation.
 64. The device mounting assembly asdescribed in claim 55, further comprising a means for retaining adevice.